Lexington Mayor Jim Gray gave an optimistic outlook of Lexington Tuesday in his annual State of the Merged Government Address.
Mayor Gray says unemployment is down 2.7 percent in the last three years, down from 8.7 percent in 2009 to six percent in 2012.
Gray says local government is also becoming more efficient saying they've cut spending by 10 million dollars in 2012 and says the current budget is balanced.
With finances in order and unemployment at it's lowest rate in six years, Gray says it's time to start making Lexington, "A Great American City."
Gray pointed to future projects soon to begin, including renovations to Rupp Arena, the creation of the Town Branch District, renovations to the old court house on Main Street, and improvements to neighborhoods across the city.
Gray also said the population of Lexington is now over 300-thousand and says it's time the nation stops looking at Lexington as a small central Kentucky city and more as a premier mid-size American city.
